Germany vs France
On Thursday night we will find out who Portugal will face in the final of Euro2016 on Sunday. Germany take on the host nation France in Marseille in a real heavyweight semi-final which brings back all kinds of memories of years gone by.
Both sides have won this tournament in the past and are no strangers to the semi-finals. They played out one of the most infamous matches in World Cup history in the semi-final of 1982 and if this is half as action packed we’ll be in for a cracker.
The Germans outlasted the Italians in the quarter final. They won through via the worst penalty shootout you’re ever going to see for quality. But it doesn’t matter how you make it through as long as you qualify, as Portugal have shown.
I think Germany are going to face their biggest test in this match. We’re finally going to see this defence tested. It will be interesting to see if they have the ability to keep sides out or whether it is vulnerable as it looked going into Euro2016.
Key Man
You would think Manuel Neuer is going to have plenty of work to do in this match. He is the best keeper in the world and he has shown glimpses of why in this tournament already with a raft of decent saves particularly against Ukraine, Poland and Slovakia. He is probably going to need to add a few more to his collection if Germany are to win this one.
It took a while for France to get going in this tournament which is no bad thing because all along I’ve been big on the ‘it isn’t how you start it is how you finish’ mantra but the last game and a half France have played they have looked a real champion side. There are all sorts of questions about how little resistance Iceland put up against them in the last round but part of that was down to how brilliant France were.
This exciting French side have been talked up as potential winners of this tournament for a while and for all their supposed defensive vulnerabilities, which in fairness have been highlighted on the pitch during the tournament, the attacking flair they possess is second to none.
Key Man
Big games require the big players and if ever there was a time to show why he is the hottest property in Europe right now it is now for Paul Pogba. He is the complete midfielder who can score goals, set his side on its way and win the ball as well as drive from midfield and in full flow he is difficult to contain. These are the matches he needs to dominate to justify his hefty reputation.
Team News
Germany have got all sorts of issues going into this semi-final. Both Mario Gomez and Sami Khedira have been ruled out of the tournament with injuries they picked up against Italy while Mats Hummels is suspended. Thankfully for Joachim Low his captain Bastian Schweinsteiger has been passed fit to play.
France have N’Golo Kante and Adil Rami back from suspension should Didier Deschamps wish to use them. You would think Kante will go straight back in but perhaps not Rami as his replacement in the quarter final Umtiti had a decent enough game.
Head to Head
There hasn’t been a lot between these two sides through the years with Germany or West Germany having 10 wins to France’s 12 and they have managed to play out five draws as well. France have won six of their last nine meetings which will encourage them.
There could be a little poignancy about this match as the last time they met was on the infamous night of the Paris disaster last year when France won 2-0 but nobody really cared about the game of football that was being played out.
Betting
I’m looking forward to this match as it should be an absolute pearler but I can’t believe the odds for it. France are marginal favourites in places but I have them much stronger favourites than that and with all the draw cover we can get in case it gets a little cagey they are almost a no brainer bet.
I could possibly accept Germany without Gomez and without Khedira but without Hummels too? Not for me. He is a massive loss. Their defence was all over the place against Ukraine without Hummels in their opening match and this French side can feast all over that if given the chance.
France are getting better and better with every match they play in this tournament and in Marseille of all places where they are massively passionate about their sport and get right behind this French side there will be a brilliant atmosphere for them to play in. France are at full strength, they are clicking and for me they will win this.
I expect this to be quite an open and offensive game. It is how both sides play and with Mats Hummels out Germany almost have to play like that because defensively I don’t see them containing France and so with that in mind I think the 13/8 on over 2.5 goals is just far too big.
I’ll also chance a big price anytime goalscorer in this match as we’re having such a good tournament. Shkodran Mustafi found the back of the net for Germany from a set-piece in their opening match against Ukraine and at 18/1 he looks good value to score here.
Right throughout the tournament France have struggled to deal with set-pieces into their box and if that continues here the former Everton man could get his head onto what is likely to be excellent delivery from either Ozil or Kroos and test Lloris and hopefully at 18/1 find the back of the net.
Tips
WON – Back France (0AH) to beat Germany for a 5/10 stake at 1.90 with 888sport
Back them here:
Back Over 2.5 goals for a 4/10 stake at 2.63 with William Hill
Back it here:
Back S.Mustafi to score anytime for a 1/10 stake at 19.00 with Bwin
Back him here:
MATCH OFFERS
888SPORT
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07/07/2016 at 8.00PM
EURO2016
GERMANY vs FRANCE
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SEMI-FINAL TWO – 07/07/2016 AT 8.00PM
GERMANY vs FRANCE
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OR
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CORAL
NEW CUSTOMERS – SEMI-FINAL TWO 07/07/2016
GERMANY vs FRANCE
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BOYLESPORTS
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